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After Arsenal's Beth Mead scored her first goals in the Women's Super League in over a year, Leah Williamson sent her an emotional message.

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Mead scores twice against West HamFirst goals since injury return Receives message from WilliamsonWHAT HAPPENED?

Mead scored her first goals since suffering an ACL injury a year ago when she curled in to extend her team's advantage in the eighteenth minute and added a second from close range four minutes before the half to make it 3-0. Williamson, her Arsenal and England team-mate, sent her a message on Twitter after the match. The Arsenal captain mentioned Mead's late mother in the moving post, which read: "We knew it was coming today @bmeado9. June would of enjoyed that one."

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Mead lost her mother in January of this year after she lost her battle with cancer. Earlier this month, Mead also discussed her struggle with depression since June's passing and opened up on how tough her recovery from a serious injury was mentally.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mead also earned her first call-up for England on Monday since returning from an 11-month injury absence. Mead had headlined the Lionesses' Euros triumph in the summer of 2022 but missed their run to the final in the Women's World Cup in Australia.

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WHAT NEXT FOR WILLIAMSON AND MEAD?

While Williamson is still out injured and will not return until 2024, Mead will continue to take centre stage with Arsenal as they remain three points adrift of leaders Chelsea in the Women’s Super League table. They will get the chance to close that gap when they play host to the Blues on December 10.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana had a night to forget against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Onana guilty of two poor errorsMakes a mess of another free-kickUnited blow two-goal leadWHAT HAPPENED?

Onana put in an error-stewn performance for Manchester United in a must-win clash against Galatasaray in the Champions League. The goalkeeper made a mess of free-kick from Hakim Ziyech in the first half and made another mistake after the break to allow the hosts to make it 3-2. Again the mistake came from a Ziyech free-kick, which Onana got a hand to but succeeded only in scooping the ball into the back of the net.

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Onana's errors proved costly as Galastasaray went on to equalise less than 10 minutes later. Substitute Kerem Akturkoglu came off the bench to blast a brilliant effort past the United stopper and make it 3-3. The goal was a bitter blow for United who had led 2-0 and then 3-1 in a game they really needed to win.

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Onana has now conceded 14 goals this season, more than any other player in the Champons League. Meanwhile, Manchester United have now conceded the most goals by an English team five games into a Champions League campaign.

Atalanta star Luis Muriel has confirmed he is departing Bergamo for a new journey in MLS with Orlando City.

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Luis Muriel confirms MLS transferAtalanta star set to join Orlando CityDuncan McGuire returns to Lions after failed transferWHAT HAPPENED?

The Atalanta star bid farewell to his fans, teammates and the club on Instagram with an emotional farewell Tuesday morning. According to ESPN, he left Italy Monday evening to fly to Orlando to begin his new journey in MLS. This comes after USMNT U-23 star Duncan McGuire, who also plays as a striker, returned to the Lions following a collapsed transfer to English side Blackburn Rovers.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MURIEL SAID

"I already wanted to thank you so much for the four and a half wonderful years that I lived in Bergamo… Bergamo will always remain in my heart, like a second home. Thank you for all the messages of affection these days, I hope you will follow me with sympathy also in my new adventure in Orlando."

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Muriel is now the latest superstar signing to join an MLS club in South Florida. Not only does McGuire feel like a 'new' signing for fans of the Lions, but a few hours away, archrivals Inter Miami have been active in the transfer market as well. They've added ex-Barcelona man Luis Suarez to their ranks up top, while their newest rumored acquisition – Federico Redondo – could be on his way to South Beach this week ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MURIEL AND ORLANDO CITY?

The Lions kickoff their 2023 MLS campaign on Saturday, February 24 against CF Montreal in an Eastern Conference clash. However, their first competitive match of the season arrives against Cavalry FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup on February 21.

FC Cincinnati star Luciano Acosta joked he was grateful Inter Miami's Lionel Messi arrived mid-season as he wouldn't have won the 2023 MLS MVP award.

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Acosta won 2023 MLS MVP awardEdged out Inter Miami star MessiJoked he was relieved to win itGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The attacking midfielder won the coveted award last year after scoring 21 goals and bagging 14 assists in 44 games in all competitions. Despite playing 30 fewer matches, Messi, who joined Miami last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, scored an impressive 11 goals and provided five assists for Miami. Ahead of the new MLS season, fellow Argentine Acosta quipped he was happy the 36-year-old joined so late on the campaign.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT LUCIANO ACOSTA SAID

The 29-year-old told reporters: "Thank goodness Messi arrived in the middle of the season because otherwise I wouldn't have won the MVP.

"I am happy to compete against the greatest, very happy that it is here. You have to respect Inter Miami a lot with all the players it has. It is a team that is obviously going to be one of the favourites and a team that will surely go far."

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While Acosta personally had a superb season, having World Cup winner and all-time great Messi in the MLS does absolute wonders for the division. It brings more eyeballs, allows teams to bring in more revenue through ticket sales, and may attract a better calibre of player to grow the league, too.

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WHAT NEXT?

The 2024 MLS season gets underway from February 21, with Messi's Miami beginning their campaign against Real Salt Lake a day later. Cincinnati, on the other hand, play Charlotte FC on February 23 in the Concacaf Champions Cup, before starting their season against Toronto on February 25.

Real Madrid have requested that their final league fixture of the season is scheduled to accommodate preparations for a Taylor Swift concert.

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Real Madrid file request for switchFinal fixture scheduled for Bernabeu on May 26Megastar to play stadium four days laterGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Los Blancosaredue to host Real Betis in a game that may be vital in deciding the La Liga title and European qualification. That match is currently slated for Sunday May 26, four days before Swift's 'Eras' tour visits the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. reports that the club have made an official request to LaLiga to play the fixture at a time and date which allows them the opportunity to arrange the stadium for the gig.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE EXPLANATION

While the fixture is provisionally scheduled for May 26, Spanish fixtures are somewhat of a moveable feast and are regularly arranged based on a number of sporting and external factors.

In the final weeks of the season, organisers usually seek to schedule games in groups across different days and kick off slots depending on permutations involving the title, European qualification and relegation. While it's very possible that the game may have been moved to the Saturday, Madrid's request adds a further factor into the mix for fixture planning department.

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The European leg of Swift's tour is staging something of a takeover of Europe's top football venues this summer. Lyon, Benfica, Liverpool, Ajax, Schalke, Hamburg are all hosting the 34-year-old as well as national stadiums in England, Wales, Ireland and Sweden.

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WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Real Madrid will be hoping to wrap the league up early both for sporting and logistical reasons and having opened up a six-point lead over early season pace-setters Girona there's every chance matters will be settled when Betis arrive. The main focus at the Bernabeu this weekend will be former captain Sergio Ramos, who returns for the first time since ending his trophy-laden 16-year spell at the club.

Barcelona are considering manufacturing and distributing their own kits with their Nike deal due to expire in 2028.

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Barcelona considering using their own brandHave an offer from Puma that exceeds current dealBlaugrana have used Nike since 1998WHAT HAPPENED?

Barca president Joan Laporta has been unsatisfied with the club's deal with Nike for some time, and has reportedly explored new merchandising partners for the Catalonian club. And despite having an offer on the table from Puma that would pay €100 million (£86m/$108m) per season, the president is considering switching to an in-house manufacturer for the famous kits, according to

AdvertisementWHAT JOAN LAPORTA SAID

Laporta suggested earlier this month that Nike had broken their agreement with the Spanish giants: "We have some concerns and a situation that is not what we wanted. The operation has been deteriorating, we think they have breached the contract."

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Barca last penned a deal with Nike in 2016, and would seem to be locked into that contract until 2028. However, if the club are able to wriggle out of the contract, they could be up for a new agreement as early as next season.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Decision time is approaching for Barca. If they are to break their contract with Nike, they can either pen a lucrative deal with Puma or start distributing their own kits.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Hugo Ekitike heading into the summer transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Magpies have not stopped trying to snap the attacker up since they failed to bring him in back in January.

A deadline day move for the striker fell through on deadline day and PIF have been working on an agreement to sign him ahead of 2022/23 ever since.

Romano Tweeted: “Hugo Ekitike is back to full fitness after injury and he’s now prepared for an important summer: Newcastle have been working on this deal since January, he’s a top target but Borussia Dortmund are now pushing. BVB have Ekitike in their list to replace Haaland.”

Supporters will love him

The Toon supporters will love Ekitike at St. James’ Park as he is an exciting young centre-forward with quality and potential.

90min reporter Graeme Bailey claimed in January that “many in France believe he could be the next Mbappe” and Toby Cudworth added that PSG sees him as a “possible successor” to the France international.

Given that Mbappe has 25 goals and 17 assists in 33 Ligue 1 outings this season, this is high praise for the Stade Reims attacker and highlights how impressive he has been in his home country throughout the campaign.

The 19-year-old has racked up nine goals and three assists in 14 starts in the league, which is a phenomenal return for a player of his age. Meanwhile, no Newcastle player has scored more than six in the Premier League, suggesting that he would be an immediate upgrade on the current options on Tyneside.

He has proven that he can deliver in the final third with goals and assists at the top level and is a player who can perform in the here and now whilst also holding the potential to improve further.

Ekitike still has the majority of his career ahead of him, barring injuries, and has the scope to develop further as he gains more experience. Eddie Howe can work with him on the training pitch to hone his skills and help him to fulfil his potential.

Therefore, the fans would love the Frenchman at Newcastle as he would be an exciting addition to the squad, both in terms of what he can offer on the pitch next season and what he could do in the future for the club.

AND in other news, “They expect..”: NUFC closing in on colossal summer signing, supporters will be elated…

Leeds United have recently been linked with a move for Chelsea centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter, and it looks as if Victor Orta is already planning for life back in the Championship.

The Lowdown: Championship loans

Clarke-Salter has been on the books with Chelsea since 2018 after progressing through and signing a professional deal from the Stamford Bridge academy.

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Since then however, Clarke-Salter’s career in Blue has been a complete flop – he has made just two senior appearances for the club and has had to settle for earning senior experience with loan spells at five separate teams.

His latest move away from the Premier League giants came with Coventry City in what was a third Championship loan spell following stints with Sunderland and Birmingham City.

The Latest: Clarke-Salter contact

The Whites have made contact with Chelsea ahead of a possible summer swoop for Clarke-Salter. According to The Sun, Leeds chiefs, and therefore director of football Orta, have made an enquiry regarding the centre-back.

The 24-year-old, who has also been linked with Sheffield United and PSV, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge a the end of the season, however, the Blues do have an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.

The Verdict: A second-tier signing

Leeds are in the bottom three and appear to be on the verge of relegation with just two games remaining and a number of senior stars out through injury and suspension.

Therefore, we feel Orta is already making transfer plans for life back in the Championship with a move for Clarke-Salter.

He is on £5,000-a-week, valued at just £1.8m by Transfermarkt and has made more appearances in the Championship than any other division. The Englishman has completely failed to make the grade at Chelsea, so you’d expect that an exit is inevitable at some point.

A defensive overhaul is reportedly being planned under Jesse Marsch ahead of his first full season in charge, and if the Whites go down, they could lose seven-figure signings like Raphinha and Robin Koch and replace them with players like Clarke-Salter, who has just one game of Premier League experience under his belt.

In other news: Phil Hay says £15k-p/w Leeds man will now leave Elland Road over the coming weeks. 

Wolves are still battling Tottenham for the potential summer signing of Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha, according to the latest transfer update from Portugal.

The Lowdown: Palhinha a primary target?

With Ruben Neves seemingly leaving Wanderers at the end of the season – his waves to the crowd last weekend suggested as much – Bruno Lage will need to make a key midfield addition.

It looks as though Palhinha is Wolves’ No.1 target in that area of the pitch, having emerged as one of the Sporting’s most influential players in recent years and constantly drawing links to the Black Country.

The 26-year-old as enjoyed an 87.8% pass completion rate in the Primeira Liga this season, also winning 1.5 aerial duels per game.

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The Latest: Offers ready

According to Jornal de Noticias [via Sport Witness], the Premier League is still the ‘most attractive’ proposition for Palhinha, with Wolves and Spurs leading the way in pole position.

Wanderers ‘want to reinforce their midfield’ and ‘initial offers’ are expected to be made imminently, with Sporting wanting at least €30million (£25.4m) for the Portuguese.

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The Verdict: Tough to beat Spurs

It seems clear that Wolves see Palhinha as one of their main summer transfer targets but the main thing holding back a possible deal is the presence of Spurs.

In Antonio Conte, the north Londoners have one of the world’s best managers and they are also on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League – a competition that appeals greatly to most top players.

Both of those things arguably make Spurs the front-runners, although Wolves’ Portuguese connection can always be helpful in these situations, with Palhinha hailed as a ‘special player’ by Sporting manager Ruben Amorim.

In other news, a journalist has dropped an interesting Wolves transfer claim. Read more here.

Wolves are plotting a bid for 18-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina as Bruno Lage looks to build for the future.

What’s the word?

Journalist Alan Nixon (via Birmingham Live) has stated that Wolves are reportedly closing in on the signing of Slonina in a deal that could be around £10m.

The club were first linked with the 6 foot 4 ‘keeper last month but fresh news claims that Wolves are close to securing a deal for the teenager.

Nixon believes they have “seen off major rivals Southampton” in the chase and this is news that will please Lage.

Slonina can be the future

Lage has steered Wolves to yet another top-flight finish in the Premier League, their third in four seasons and despite missing out on European football, there are high hopes the club can have a positive summer ahead.

With the ever-increasing likelihood that Ruben Neves will be leaving, and the out of contract Joao Moutinho unsure of his future, Lage faces a rebuild of sorts.

John Ruddy’s contract expires in the summer and Lage will be looking to add to his goalkeeping options, although Slonina may be one for the future.

He has been dubbed “impressive” by fellow Chicago Fire stopper Bobby Shuttleworth and the 18-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.

He became the youngest ever starting goalkeeper in MLS history when making his debut for the side in September last year at the tender age of 17.

In November, Slonina had made 3.36 saves from inside the box per 90 minutes, which was more than any other keeper at the time. This shows he was making a big impact and displaying his massive talent.

Although a USA youth international, he has been called up to the senior Poland squad and a move to Europe would be beneficial in terms of his international prospects.

A fee of £10m isn’t much in today’s transfer market and it’s one that Wolves could comfortably afford. This will be a deal that Lage will be desperate to get over the line.

AND in other news, Great news: Huge Wolves transfer development emerges; supporters will be ecstatic